Man charged with assaulting nurses

A 40-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with detaining and assaulting two nurses at Bathurst Base Hospital in NSW's central west.

Police said the man entered the hospital's emergency department about 9am (AEDT) on Saturday seeking treatment for an eye injury.

He allegedly threatened two triage nurses with a knife before producing a hammer and smashing a window when a security officer tried to intervene.

Police were called and negotiated with the man, while other officers approached him from behind and fired a Taser to subdue him.

He was arrested and charged with two counts each of of taking/detaining a person with intent to obtain advantage, being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, common assault and destroying or damaging property.

He was refused bail and was to appear in the Bathurst Bail Court on Sunday.